Microcel Corporation Completes a Transaction With Atar Capital
/in News & Updates /by John MottolaOsprey Capital Partners Inc. is pleased to announce that Microcel Corporation, a leading distributor of technology products in Canada has been acquired by Atar Capital, a global private investment firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Rick Henry, Founder of Microcel, will remain a significant shareholder and will continue as Microcel’s President and CEO.
The Client:
Since its inception in 1989, Microcel has become one of Canada’s preeminent consumer electronics distributors, providing access to the Canadian retail market to prominent global OEM vendors covering a wide variety of product types, from wearables, portable audio, computer and telephony accessories, to smart home and outdoor tech solutions. Based in Newmarket, Ontario, Microcel leverages its superior product marketing and logistics support and distributes to a network of over 5,000 points of purchase for some of Canada’s largest big box retailers, electronic stores, e-commerce, and specialty outdoor stores.
The Objective:
The owner was interested in finding a partner to help continue the companies’ impressive historical growth and provide liquidity. Osprey Capital planned and executed a highly confidential sale process that targeted a vetted group of strategic and financial buyers & investors.
The Result:
“Microcel has developed a leading position distributing global technology brands into the Canadian retail market. After talking to several potential capital partners, I found Atar’s retail and operational expertise; their flexibility, speed and growth-oriented investment philosophy to be a true differentiator to help catapult Microcel’s market position forward,” said Rick Henry, Founder of Microcel.
“We are excited to partner with Rick and the Microcel team on this transaction. We see tremendous opportunity in Canada’s growing retail and e-commerce markets,” said Cyrus Nikou, Founder and Managing Partner at Atar Capital. “Microcel’s best-in-class portfolio of brands within the Canadian consumer electronics space complimented by Atar’s direct-to-consumer, e-commerce and digital marketplace platforms will serve as a catalyst for growth,” added Nikou.
“Rick has done a great job building the company over the last 30 years and we are proud to have helped them enter into the next phase “, said Stephen Jakob, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Osprey Capital, “We are looking forward to Microcel’s continuing growth and success with Atar.”
Voisin’s Equipment Rental & Universal Rental Services Complete Transaction With Sunbelt Rentals
/in News & Updates /by John MottolaOsprey Capital Partners Inc. is pleased to announce that Voisin’s Equipment Rental Ltd. and Universal Rental Services Inc. have been acquired by Sunbelt Rentals Inc.
The Client:
Voisin’s Equipment Rental is one of the largest independent equipment rental companies in North America. Based in Guelph Ontario, the Company specializes in aerial equipment rentals, sales and repair services to over 900 customers in the residential and commercial construction industry. Voisin’s has a fleet of nearly 2500 aerial lifts and telehandlers.
Universal Rental Services is an Ontario-based general tool and construction equipment rental company offering products ranging from chainsaws to large bulldozers. Universal operates three facilities located in Guelph, Fergus and Orangeville.
The Objective:
The Shareholders were interested in finding a partner to help continue the companies’ impressive historical growth and provide liquidity. Osprey Capital planned and executed a highly confidential sale process including a select group of strategic and financial buyers.
The Result:
Sunbelt Rentals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ashtead Group plc (AHT.LSE) and the second largest equipment rental company in North America with more than 700 locations and 11,000 employees, acquired Voisin’s and Universal. Sunbelt Rentals was chosen due to its reputation in the industry and the numerous synergies between the two companies.
“When we started the process to find a partner we had a good idea of what we wanted to achieve and chose Osprey Capital not only because of their experience and track record but also their fit with our team”, said Steve Voisin, President of Voisin’s and Universal, “We are extremely happy with the outcome.” Mr. Voisin will assume a senior role at Sunbelt.
“The owners and management of the companies should be very proud of what they have built”, said Stephen Jakob, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Osprey Capital, “We are thankful for the trust and confidence they had in us to help them achieve their goals.”
Osprey Capital Participates in Globalscope International Conference In Panama
/in News & Updates /by John MottolaGLOBALSCOPE HOSTS SUCCESSFUL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN PANAMA, WELCOMING NEW MEMBERS FROM COLOMBIA AND INDIA ALONG WITH A NEW NETWORK PRESIDENT
3 May 2018 – For Immediate Release
Globalscope Partners Ltd, the international M&A network, is pleased to announce the successful expansion of its global partner base to 55 firms in 46 countries.
The new partners were elected at the 23rd semi-annual Globalscope conference, hosted by Panamanian member firm, Insignia Financial Advisors. Delegate firms from across the world met in the Old Quarter of Panama City, a World Heritage Site, to develop deal opportunities with fellow members, discuss trends in global M&A and hear from transaction experts on best practice.
Insignia’s Director José Rogelio Díaz, commented, “It was a privilege to host the Spring 2018 conference in Panama City, with the participation of members from all over the world. Our Globalscope partners had the opportunity to learn about Panama, and the Central American economies’ growth potential, whilst experiencing first-hand what Panama has to offer to the world as a service-based economy, a regional multinational hub and a natural connection centre to all of Latin America. Our partners are now all the more able to advise clients in regard to Latin America when analysing strategic opportunities in growth markets. We in Latin America foresee tremendous opportunities for developed companies worldwide to expand into our rapidly-growing economies. Globalscope will be a catalyst in this trend for our clients.”
This conference saw two new observer firms, Estrategia en Accion of Colombia and a’XYKno Capital Services of India, attending to present as prospective members. Both were voted in and welcomed as new partners. They are the network’s 54th and 55th member firms.
The core of the 3 day conference programme was members convening for deal discussions, organised by sector, as a catalyst for initiating, nurturing and completing transactions. Globalscope groups businesses into six sectors each headed by a dedicated team which led these discussions:
- Consumer
- Life Sciences
- Support Services
- Financial Services
- Industrials
- TMT
Another highlight of the conference was a presentation by guest speaker Ramon Arias of IMAC on Executing M&A in Family Businesses, drawing upon his 30+ years of international experience.
The conference also ushered in a change in leadership. Jim Keeling, of UK member firm Corbett Keeling took over as President of the network from Russell D’Alba of Paramax Corporation USA. When asked about his feelings on being elected, Keeling replied, “It is a great honour to have been appointed President of Globalscope Partners. I feel very privileged to lead such an outstanding band of brothers from around the world. My primary aim as President is that we will see a marked acceleration in cross-border deals done by our members.” He acknowledged his fellow directors, saying, “I would like to thank Russell D’Alba for his service as President. I would also like to thank departing board member Josh Park of Traders Partners (Japan) for his contributions to Globalscope including coordinating our Asian partners and welcome our newest board members Al Melchiorre of MelCap Partners (USA) and Kamal Rungta RCS Advisors (India).”
Mr. D’Alba commented: “Thank you for entrusting me as your 6th President for the past 2 years. We are now 55 member firms, with a board of 9 directors, each focused on their specific areas aimed at generating and facilitating cross-border deal flow. I wish Godspeed to our new President.”
During the conference, members were hosted atop the iconic Panama Locks for a Gala Dinner at which awards were made honouring Globalscope member firms for the most prestigious deals in the preceding six months:
- MOST ACTIVE MEMBER: DEX international, Netherlands – 5 deals
- LARGEST DEAL: Palladio Corporate Finance – €336 million
- GLOBALSCOPE FLAGSHIP DEAL: Tenzing Partners, Luxembourg and CatCap, Germany
Members will next be meeting in Tbilisi, Georgia in September 2018 for the Autumn semi-annual conference being hosted by Georgian member firm, Alliance Group Capital.
Celebrating Our 20th Anniversary – Advising Canadian Companies Since 1998
/in News & Updates /by John Mottola